Friday, May 12, 2006
LOCK OUT STRAY LEGISLATORS
TIMES PICAYUNE EDITORIAL
(excerpt)
Louisiana House members can't bend the law of physics and occupy two places at once, but lawmakers who are nowhere near the Capitol still manage to vote thanks to colleagues who push the button on their machines for them.
The House often uses what's called a lockout when voting on controversial measures. If 21 members request a lockout, the Speaker asks for a quorum call and has members vote only their own machines. The buttons that haven't been touched are then electronically locked.
Until legislators are able to amend House rules to forbid members from voting for absent lawmakers, House members should demand a lockout on every single vote. Surely there are 21 House members who take their job seriously enough to do so.
